Theology, Philosophy, and Cognitive Science on Religion

AID, the new forum for interdisciplinary conversation coordinated by the Finnish Centre of Excellence in the Philosophy of the Social Sciences, organized a discussion session at the University of Helsinki on Monday 7 April. The topic of the event was "Religion: Viewed from Theology, Philosophy, and Cognitive Science". The themes were obviously important also for our own CoE, and especially for its Team 3, which focuses on contemporary philosophy of religion, and includes a subgroup of cognitive study of religion.

The interesting themes were discussed by Simo Knuuttila, Professor of Theological Ethics and Philosophy of Religion, and Ilkka Pyysiäinen, University Lecturer in Study of Religions. The discussion was moderated by Academy Professor Uskali Mäki, all three being affiliated with the University of Helsinki, and Pyysiäinen also counting as a part of our very own Team 3 mentioned above.

Both discussants first gave their own short presentations and then commented on each other's views. Finally, the floor was opened for a wider discussion in which the audience could also take part.

Simo Knuuttila and Ilkka Pyysiäinen